Monday, December 30, 2019

Top Exam Study Guides For PMP

Top Exam Study Guides For PMPTop Exam Study Guides For PMPWhether you are studying for your Project Management Professional exams or trying to refresh your project management skills, there are some really good guides out there to meet your needs. While all of these guides are good resources, the best approach often is using a blend of materials and books during your studies. PMP certification is provided by the Project Management Institute, which has chapters in more than 200 countries. Ace the PMP Exam Apple iPad This is part of the iPad publishing app, so is not in a traditional book format for a study guide, but dont let that put you off. The guide has interactivity built in through flashcards, questions and answers, and interactive presentations. The layout is clean and easy to read, and its simple to navigate. The app includes real-world project challenges like how to apply processes to a multiphase project. This makes it practical for real-life as well as for a test-taking guide. Find it on iTunes. Head First PMP Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman OReilly Media, 2013. ISBN 978-1449364915 The publishers say the book is structured in the way your mind works, and it does seem to be structured in a way which makes a lot of sense for a project manager. There is an emphasis on graphical representation of the information as well as interactivity, which you may find useful if you find you learn better from those types of study aids. If you do use this guide, make sure you do all the exercises as you go through, as it really aids your learning process. PMP Exam Prep Accelerated Learning to Pass PMIs PMP Exam Rita Mulchay RMC Publications Inc, 2013. ISBN 978-1932735659 This is a well-structured guide that leads you logically through what you need to know to reisepass the exam. There are good sample questions and useful hints and tips throughout. It is easy to read and includes some well-explained definitions, which can be a real bonus, as sometimes glo ssary terms can be written in a dry inaccessible way. So when you are approaching the exam and get the inevitable mental block, a simple explanation to remind you about a concept can be a lifesaver. The PMP Exam How to Pass on Your First Try Andy Crowe, Velociteach Press 2013. ISBN 978-0982760857 Simple explanations of the complex concepts required to pass the PMP exam are contained within this book, including the project management knowledge areas. It covers the rationales behind the courses of action required to take depending on what situation you face in the exam and in the real world. It also boasts a really good glossary of terms. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)- 5th Edition Project Management Institute, 2013. ISBN 978-1935589679 This is the official reference text you must know to pass the exam. The latest edition expands on the chapters available in previous versions and has added some invaluable details about the examinations. This book sets the standard for what you need to know to pass the exam, which makes it an essential, if bulky, tome. PM Prepcast OSP International LLC, available as a downloadable product from their website. This series of training videos can be a useful study guide, particularly if you have a busy schedule. You can study for your exam on the go across any of your devices. The visual presentation is straightforward and has a user-friendly way of accessing what can be a complicated set of information. As well as being for people who are on the move a lot, it also could appeal to anyone who finds they learn more effectively from visual sources rather than solely reading textbooks. PMIs Code of Ethics Available as a PDF download from the PMI website. Ethics relates to how we best use resources (human and other) to achieve our goals. PMI has a focus on honesty, responsibility, respect, and fairness in the work its members carry out. The code of ethics sets out how we can all meet the se standards, and your PMP exam will include questions that reference PMIs code of ethics.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search - FlexJobs

5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search - FlexJobs5 Easy Steps to be More Successful at Work or in a Job Search -4Here are five easy steps to help you kick yourself into gear and be mora successful at work or in your job search1. Aim to surprise your boss, co-workers, and people in your professional network often in a good way.Even in small ways, you can make yourself and ultimately your value to your company stand out.2. Take inventory of your accomplishments.Make a detailed list, including measurable metrics that help convey the list.3. Take inventory of your weaknesses.Make a list of areas that are important to your job, and that you want to improve upon or get become more knowledgeable in.4. Find ways to improve.Pull from both your accomplishments (how you can do more along those lines) and from your weaknesses (find a mentor or enroll in a business class, etc., to help).5. Set goals.Start with 5 or so, and add from there. Some can be small, some big. Then put a recurring appointment in your calendar to review once a month to see where you are, cross off ones youve done, and add new ones that come up.Truly, just being aware that you have a deciding role in how successful you are can help you BE successful at work and in your search. Yes, from time to time we can all be mercy tocircumstances (badeconomy, bad bosses, badco-workers, bad days, etc.), but its important to remember that YOU can help YOU be successful.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)

Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)Podcasts that will inspire your career (and make your commute bearable)Its getting a little colder and a little darker out which means that commute of yours is going to get a little harder. Heck, just getting through the day as the seasons change is harder. This is why you need some major listening pleasures and you may as well try to get a little career inspiration at the same time.So, we put together a list of some of the best career-oriented podcasts started by women. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be equipped to go in and ask for a raise or maybe start your own business. Check out these podcasts below.Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff by Rebecca MinkoffIn addition to being an incredibly successful designer, Minkoff has been all about helping women move up in their careers. And as a mother of three, she gets it. We want to shift the conversation fromcelebrating individual female heroes to celebrating t hose that make them heroes every day. Simultaneously, emphasizing female camaraderie in entrepreneurship and in life, Minkoff, Co-Founder and Creative Director, said. Each episode of Superwomen celebrates collective success by exploring how thought leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and advocates achieved their goals without sacrificing their multidimensionality. In intimate, share-all interviews, Rebecca takes listeners on a journey, but uncovering the many sides of powerful women and learns how they are encouraging the women around them.The Femails by Career ContessaLooking for some real, solid career advice? Turn to Career Contessas recently launched podcast The Femails. Hosted by CEO Lauren McGoodwin, they have had some incredible guests including Farnoosh Tarobi, Drybar founder Alli Webb, and actress Autumn Reeser.Be My Neighbor by Bevin Prince and Brittney LevineBrittney and Bevins friendship sounds a bit like a late 90s sitcom but the issues they talk about on their podcast go way deeper than that (though we would love them to do an episode on their thoughts on 90s sitcoms.) Though talking to your neighbor in New York is a rarity somehow these ladies made it work and together they have created a podcast that is talking about the real issues. Prince is an actress (One Tree Hill) and SoulCycle instructor as well as health and fitness expert and Lululemon ambassador.Style and Trend Expert,BrittneyLevine, covers everything from womens accessories and makeovers, to mens grooming and sports, catering each one of her segments (often on The Today Show, E, Extra and QVC) to how every viewer can get the most bang for their buck. Though their lives sound quite glamorous, this is a podcast that is all about honestly with a particular focus on rejection.Both women are on a mission to not only elevate each other but to keep learning and evolving, together with their neighborly listeners along for the ride.Pretty Electric byDara Kaplan and Gwen WunderlichPretty Electric is a weeklypodcastfor women that want to create an electric life of their very own. Hosted by BFFs and business partners, Dara Kaplan and Gwen Wunderlich, the Pretty ElectricPodcastincludes noteworthy discussions on everything from female entrepreneurship to business adviceto up to the minute pop culture. Champions of all things female, Pretty Electric is a natural progression of D Gs globally acclaimed program, The Enternship.The Pretty Electricpodcastfeatures interviews with Dara and Gwens badass femmepreneur friends, and hilarious personal stories based on the pairs 20 plus years of owning a thriving Fashion and Celebrity Public Relations firm. From the founders The Pretty Electricpodcastis for anyone looking to raise their vibrations, start a new side business, or make a big life change. Its also for the woman that just needs a good laugh while being inspired, uplifted and ultimately shifted.Join in to listen and get ready to be completely, utterly and undeniably electric. Whe ns Happy Hour by Betches MediaJust in time to go with their book of the same name, Betches latest podcast proves that you dont have to go to business school to be an entrepreneur. Hosted by Betches co-founders Jordana Abraham, Samantha Fishbein, and Aleen Kuperman, their special guests have plenty of advice to offer to aspiring entrepreneurs based on their own experiences. If youre struggling to find a job, do well in your job, cant figure out what you want to do, want to start a new business (and dont know how to behave at happy hour)Whens Happy Hour will give you the honest advice you need to move your career forward in the right direction.Lady Bosses (and Ben)by Jesse Draper and Ben HigginsShes a legacy venture capitalist who has helped fund some of the most successful female-founded companies in the last five years and he was on The Bachelor. An unlikely pair to host a podcast on female entrepreneurs? Maybe or maybe not. Higgins also is the co-founder and President of his social enterpriseGenerous Coffee and he is all about helping women. The podcast is called Lady Bosses (and Ben), and is produced and distributed through iHeartRadio.Each week, theyll sit down with a different CEO, entrepreneur, or business mogul and learn how they achieved their goals, what challenges they facebuilding a company, and the tips they can share with the next generation of business leaders. Upcoming guests include Brooklyn Decker, founder of Finery, and Alli Webb, the founder of Dry Bar.Skimmd From the Couch by theSkimmWhat cant theSkimm do? Well, nothing apparently because now they have a super popular podcast full of good career advice. The weekly podcast features powerful and successful women sharing their stories, especially the times when it wasnt so great. You can expect real stories from women who are leaders in their fields, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, cofounders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, told Glamour. Not just the flashy, success headlines weve all heard about. We get into the reality of starting a business, learning how to embrace failure, and recognizing when to take the advice of those around you and when to trust your gut. The stories and advice are relatable, funny, and honest. Notable guests include Sallie Krawcheck, Whitney Wolfe and Reshma Saujani.Chase Wild Hearts by Laura ChungEver wonder how all those people with magical lives on Instagram make it work? This is the podcast that shows you how they came to be and juggle it all. Chase Wild Hearts is a weekly interview-based podcast hosted by Laura Chung. Tune in to be inspired and empowered by entrepreneurial women from around the globe who have redefined what their dream life is by starting their own businesses, all while managing relationships and focusing on well-being.

Monday, December 16, 2019

I studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessons

I studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessonsI studied buttons for 7 years and learned these 5 lessonsAll day every day, throughout the United States, people push buttons on coffee makers, TV remote controls and even social media posts they like. For more than seven years, Ive been trying to understand why, looking into where buttons came from, why people love them and why people loathe them.As I researched my recent book, Power Button A History of Pleasure, Panic, and the Politics of Pushing, about the origins of American push-button society, five main themes stood out, influencing how I understand buttons and button-pushing culture.1. Buttons arent actually easy to useJust give it a try.George Eastman Museum/Wikimedia CommonsIn the late 19th century, the Eastman Kodak Company began selling button-pushing as a way to make taking photographs easy. The companys slogan, You press the button, we do the rest, suggested it wouldnt be hard to use newfangled technological devi ces. This advertising campaign paved the way for the public to engage in amateur photography a hobby best known today for selfies.Yet in many contexts, both past and present, buttons are anything but easy. Have you ever stood in an elevator pushing the close-door button over and over, hoping and wondering if the door will ever shut? The same quandary presents itself at every crosswalk button. Programming a so-called universal remote is often an exercise in extreme frustration. Now think about the intensely complex dashboards used by pilots or DJs.For more than a century, people have been complaining that buttons arent easy Like any technology, most buttons require training to understand how and when to use them.Pilots need a lot of training and practice to know what to do with all those buttons.U.S. Air Force/Kelly White2. Buttons encourage consumerismThe earliest push buttons appeared on vending machines, as light switches and as bells for wealthy homeowners to summon servants.At the turn of the 20th century, manufacturers and distributors of push-button products often tried to convince customers that their every whim and desire could be gratified at a push without any of the mess, injury or effort of previous technologies like pulls, cranks or levers. As a form of consumption, button pushing remains pervasive People push for candy bars and tap for streaming movies or Uber rides.Just press here and get more detergent.Alexander Klink/Wikimedia Commons, CC BYAmazons Dash button takes push-button pleasure to the extreme. Its tempting to think about affixing single-purpose buttons around your house, ready to instantly reorder toilet paper or laundry detergent. But this convenience comes at a price Germany recently outlawed Dash buttons, because they dont let customers know how much theyll pay when they place an order.3. Button-pushers are often seen as abusiveThroughout my research, I discovered that people worry that buttons will fall into the wrong hands or b e used in socially undesirable ways. My children will push just about any button within their reach and sometimes those not within reach, too. The children of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were the same. People often complained about children honking automobile horns, ringing doorbells and otherwise taking advantage of buttons that looked fun to press.Adults, too, often received criticism for how they pushed. In the past, managers triggered ire for using push-button bells to keeping their employees at their beck and call, like servants. More recently there are stories in the nachrichtensendung about disgraced figures like Matt Lauer using buttons to control the comings and goings of his staff, taking advantage of a powerful position.4. Some of the most-feared buttons arent realBeginning in the late 1800s, one of the most common fears registered about buttons involved warfare and advanced weapons Perhaps one push of a button could blow up the world.Fortunately, starting a n uclear war is a bit harder than this.rogistok/Shutterstock.comThis anxiety has persisted from the Cold War to the present, playing prominently in movies like Dr. Strangelove and in news headlines. Although no such magic button exists, its a potent icon for how society often thinks about push-button effects as swift and irrevocable. This concept is also useful in geopolitics. As recently as 2018, President Donald Trump bragged to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over Twitter that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger more powerful one than his, and my Button works5. Not a lot has changed in more than a centuryAs I completed my book, I welches struck by how much voices of the past echoed those of the present when discussing buttons. Since the 1880s, American society has deliberated about whether button pushing is a desirable or dangerous form of interaction with the world.Persistent concerns remain about whether buttons make life too easy, pleasurable or rote. Or, on th e flip side, observers worry that buttons increase complexity, forcing users to fiddle unnecessary with unnatural interfaces.Not so fast, Staples.StaplesYet as much as people have complained about buttons over the years, they remain stubbornly present an entrenched part of the design and interactivity of smartphones, computers, garage door openers, car dashboards and videogame controllers.As I suggest in Power Button, one way to remedy this endless discussion about whether buttons are good or bad is to instead begin paying attention to power dynamics and the ethics of push buttons in everyday life. If people begin to examine who gets to push the button, and who doesnt, in what contexts, under which conditions, and to whose benefit, they might begin to understand buttons complexity and importance.Power Button A History of Pleasure, Panic and the Politics of PushingMIT Press provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.Rachel Plotnick, Assistant Professor of Cinema and Media Studies, Indiana UniversityThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

How to Master the Final Round of Job Interviews

How to Master the Final Round of Job InterviewsHow to Master the Final Round of Job InterviewsYou have come a long way in yur job interview. The phone screening and meeting with recruiters and staff are a thing of the past. Now, you are going into your final job interview. So far, you made no mistakes. Yes, you have a legitimate shot at getting hired So, do elend blow itCompanies do not set up final round interviews to go through the motions with job candidates. We explain how you can be the master of your next final round job interview.Never assume the job is in the bagYou should be proud and acknowledge how much you appreciate the companys time spent interviewing you. However, this is not the time to let off the gas and start acting like the job is yours. You should take this interview just as serious and with every ounce of professionalism that you did for your phone screening. You must continue to sell yourself as the right choice for the job. It is not the time to get cocky.Revi ew previous interview details for yourselfMake koranvers you have the details of previous interviews in your mind or in front of you. More than likely, previous topics from job interviews will come up again. You want to be able to reply effectively to interview questions previously discussed.Dress appropriately for your industryAll industries have a form of dress code culture. Some industries are more casual while others demand suits and ties.However, do not overdo it. You are still trying to leave a good impression. Avoid clothes that go too far and just make you look like either a slob or someone who is clueless about the industrys dress code. Dress like you deserve the job.Bring extra resumes, required documents, and referencesDepending on your career level, some final round interviews may ask you to do presentations. If you are asked to do powerpoint presentations, do not rely on the company to have all the computers you need for you. Take the initiative and handle it yourself.A t times, unexpected people will show up to interviews, which will require handing out more resumes. References are important, too. Make sure that your references are available that day, just in case the company wants to speak with them during the final interview, or after.Keep your energy upAfter many job interviews, your mind starts to wonder exactly why the company just does not hire you. The problem with thinking this way is that it often leads to RNTs (random negative thoughts). These are the random negative thoughts that pop into a persons head for no reason whatsoever. Unfortunately, this can lead to the feeling that one should just give up and confidence is lost for the job interview.You cannot let this happen. You have to keep your energy up and never carry yourself in any way that looks like you are giving up. If you do start to sound like this interview is all too much to handle and think, Why bother? It should not be this hard, the people interviewing you will see it.Ask the bigger and more important additional questionsThink about it. You have been interviewing for a while now and you have some awareness of the companys goals. This is not the time to ask those scripted, basic questions like, What are our companys long-term goals?Ask questions about previous interview topics and clarify information you could not find while doing your online research.Keep cool and follow-up when it is doneIdle time is the devils playground The wait will kill you a bit and you may be tempted to call and ask what they decided. Instead, follow-up with a Thank you letter for their time and make one last mention of your skills and accomplishments.Companies take time to make final decisions and put offers together. If you are not contacted immediately, do not worry. You made it to the final round of an interview, so someone is going to get back to you with the companys decision

Friday, December 6, 2019

Who Else Wants to Learn About Server Resume Examples?

Who Else Wants to Learn About Server Resume Examples? How to Find Server Resume Examples Online Employed as an administrative assistant will be able to help you make a sufficient amount of money and is thought of as a strong career path for everyone with a passion of working with numerous files and secretarial work. To make a productive objective for the server resume is to understand what the employer is searching for in the most suitable person for the position. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Click the resume examples below to receive a jump start on your resume and locate a job faster The Honest to Goodness Truth on Server Resume Examples After producing the directory you will have to change in that directory. Perhaps while looking for examples you noticed poor samples throughout the internet. ur Server resume sample has all of the ingredients to produce your application stick out from the rest. Other server resume exa mples dont make this point. It is going to also demonstrate all items which were entered into the database. Typically, as databases could acquire bulky as a result of volume of information stored in them, it is necessary your server has enough bandwidth to put away the database. The database wants the capability to efficiently compute the start pointer of an upcoming page. In most instances, these databases arent huge and dont have too many data fields. Most Noticeable Server Resume Examples The job of a server is among the entry points in the restaurant business but its the most challenging one. The best servers usually make great hints, or so the competition for these jobs can be difficult. Thus, its understandable to have an extensive work experience for a Server. Any former experience for a server also needs to be divulged. Life After Server Resume Examples Resource governance of supporting this kind of approach would be quite cumbersome. CV Owlhas an extensive colle ction of industry resume examples to help you land the job that youre trying for. If youre applying for work in the tafelgeschirr business, you would require a resume like anywhere else. Various kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. Server Resume Examples at a Glance There are multiple resume templates youll be able to select from to customize your application and produce your resume your own. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. When youre asking for work, it is almost always better to use resume templates which have been specially designed to suit the goal. Begin by utilizing a resume objective. Additionally, you need to demonstrate that you may handle responsibility and arent reluctant to work with different folks to plan events and reach team objectives. The sphere of information technology gets mora important daily. In addition, you need a great deal of c reativity to address complex issues. Additional skills may include the amount of language you speak. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. Too frequently, a resume will list duties which were undertaken under each former function. Under each job, attempt to spell out why you are much better than other candidates. Make certain you highlight technical wisdom and certifications. Based on different facets of this profession, there are distinct resumes that has to be employed to secure work. Furthermore, consider the descriptions of the jobs to which you wish to apply. Your present job is the sole thing which should be in the current tense. Dont stop with an internet search. The Birth of Server Resume Examples Format your resume appropriately and guarantee that it is grammatically correct with the correct spelling. If so, there are a few instructions that you need to follow for you to produce the best resume. The most suitable selection of words can make all of the difference to your nature and your approach to get the job done. You are able to occur after the pattern provided here in order to make an impressive resume for yourself. Whether it was during an earlier job or a pastime, describing a project with a succinct narrative is likely to make your work persona more palpable to anybody reviewing your technical resume. Last, the procedure will take some time, and might fail, so I wished to figure out how to take care of that in this second experiment. To be able to strike a great impression you should incorporate these qualifications in your Dispatcher skills list. Review the work post very well and highlight the essential credentials and skills that you should put in your objective. The very first important section of your resume is known as the Career Objective. While all resumes should offer information on your work and education experience, together with your abilities and accomplishments, there are vario us ways to present this info.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Those Impossible to Find Newbies

Those Impossible to Find Newbies Back when I was in technology recruiting, I remember that when a hiring manager said they wanted an inexperienced hire, I would mentally groan. Their words after that were scattered as my brain subjugated its listening function to a frustrated internal monologue. Their rhetoric, always the same, would come across choppy, as my brain filled in the conversation with what else I could be doing that day or what I was going to eat for lunch. Phrases like Someone who just gets it Couple of good projects under their belt Bright Solid achievements Great aptitude Ill teach them would be pronounced. As I remember, I would be nodding and looking particularly interested in what they were saying.The unfortunate reality is that when I would get back to the office, I would have nothing to go on. If a company wants to hire a Java developer, its easy. Find someone whos great at Jav a with a nice enough personality andtemperamentto be a decent employee. The harte nuss is when companies want to hire someone that could be a great employee, someone with guts, determination, and intelligence, but no verifiable professional experience. When you have nothing to go on but the intangibles, thats when it gets tricky. Thats when recruiting becomes more art than science, and maybe more luck than procedure.I bring this up because were doing some tech hiring ourselves. I am again reminded of the impossibility that we impart to recruiting its too easy to forget about what you need to get accomplished, and think instead about some murky, personal ideal of an employee that just doesnt really exist. We want aptitude, not experience, but demand immediate performance and task completion. Its really easy to get in the way of our own recruiting efforts, as well as to be unfair to candidates.But were doing our best, even though its of course taking longer than we would like. I have to give a shout out to ZipRecruiter, where we have posted our most recent job. They advertise their services through Recruiter.com, but I hadnt ever actually used the service that we were advertising. So far, so good we have some well-qualified candidates and a solid first round of interviews.If we have a new hire next week, it means that our luck is still with us. If we dont, well, it might be karma coming back to me for ignoring some of those hiring managers. But in any case, its interesting to be on the other side of the fence still looking,accidentally, for the impossible.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Flying on Mars

Flying on roter planet Flying on Mars Flying on MarsA helicopter that could fly in Mars thin atmosphere99 percent less dense than Earthsseems an impossible dream. Yet NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab has developed a lightweight, autonomous, helicopter that does just thatwhile surviving night temperatures down to -160F.Such mobility would open vast horizons to scientists trying to understand the profil of Mars to support life. Starting with Pathfinder in 1997, the United States has landed four robotic rovers on Mars. Yet the most successful of them, Curiosity, traversed only 13 miles since landing in 2011.Greater exploration will require more mobility. The small helicopter developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory promises to do just that. The 2.1-kg helicopter consists of a fuselage with power and control systems, dual counter-rotating rotors, solar cells for recharging the battery, and landing gear. Members of the JPL Mars Helicopter team mount the unit to a test system that will simulate the red planets low gravity and thin atmosphere. emPhoto Jet Propulsion Laboratory/emThe concept dates back to the late 1990s, when models showed that a fast-spinning ultralight helicopter could fly on Mars. It has taken 20 years to develop small and powerful enough batteries, computers, flight control systems, and solar cells that make this possible, said MiMi Aung. She is the helicopters project manager at JPLs Solar System Exploration Directorate.Still, it is a lot to fit into one package.You May Also Like Apollo 500 Years AfterWhen we began the project, I told everyone that they had to be good at their disciplinebut they also had to be a systems engineer, Aung said. Everything you do individually touches everything else, especially when were making something so small and so light. So you cant just design the best control system or rotor for you. It has to balance mass, volume, power, and energy for the mission.That led to many unique designs, starting with th e rotor. In order to achieve lift in the thin Martian atmosphere, the rotors needed to be large (1.2 meters) and rotate rapidly (40-45 revolutions per second). Yet the designers could not afford the mass and volume of a tail rotor to cancel the torque of the main blades. So they opted for a pair of counter-rotating rotors whose torques cancelled out one another.JPL worked with NASA Langley Research Center and AeroVironment to build a custom motor that could achieve those speeds. Using advanced algorithms developed at JPL, AeroVironment built a 23-pole-pair brushless d.c. motor. It included square wires to squeeze out every possible gain in efficiency. The first prototype took 100 hours to hand wind.The fuselage consisted of a central battery surrounded by five circuit boards, which formed a cube that opens on top to connect with the drive. Aungs team modeled everything, even the insulating air gap between the circuit boards and the fuselage skin, then wrapped the skin with a DuPont Kapton polyimide film spray-coated with four different metals to modulate the amount of heat that entered and escaped.The heart of the fuselage also contained temperature sensors and a resistance strip for heating.The rotors, solar cells, and landing gear were designed to survive the Martian night without heating, Aung said. We needed to keep the fuselages battery, computer, and sensors thermisch enough to function.The system also needed a sophisticated degree of autonomy. On one hand, it needed to translate general commands from flight controllers on Earthphotograph these spots, sleep and recharge at this point, wake up at this timeinto operational commands.Yet it needed to navigate flying conditions on Mars. Because the atmosphere is so thin, it provides less of a blanket. As a result, the helicopter must respond faster than any human could to changing air dynamics.Testing a prototype also posed a challenge. We had to invent how to test a flying helicopter in thin air, Aung said.T o do that, they filled a large, hermetically sealed room with carbon dioxide (95 percent of Mars atmosphere), then dropped the pressure to Mars levels. Working with Caltech, they built a bank of fans that, despite the low pressure, simulated winds in a thin atmosphere. Then they attached a robotic arm to the helicopter, giving it additional lift to emulate Mars low gravity.After instrumenting the helicopter, they flew it through a series of maneuvers, some in simulated wind storms, to see if its flight behavior matched their models predictions. It did well enough to earn a place on the upcoming Mars 2020 mission.Recommended for You Iron Man LivesOn Mars, its primary mission is to prove it can fly, take photos, recharge, and follow commands autonomously. Aung estimates that the helicopter is capable of flying nearly 1 kilometer at 9-10 meters/second for 90 seconds before recharging.For Mars 2020, however, NASA will throttle it back. It will move 2-3 meters per second for 300 meters w hile flying no higher than 5 meters.That will change in the future. She envisions helicopter scouting ahead for rovers and eventually humans. But helicopters are unlikely to every carry humans on Mars.The dynamics get sloppy because you need much larger rotors, and the blades get sloppytheres a resonance problemwhen you get that big, she said. But we think a future helicopter with a 3-to-3.5-meter rotor could carry a 10-to-15-kilogram payload at up to 20 meters per second and fly five to eight minutes before it has to recharge. Thats a large enough payload to do significant science.Alan Brown is senior editor.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Changing Careers How to Look For a New Job

Changing Careers How to Look For a New JobChanging Careers How to Look For a New JobAre you tired of your current career? Whatever the reason behind your dissatisfaction, youre not alone. Numbers on career changes can be difficult to pin down, because different people define a career change in different ways. Employee tenure, though, is easy to measure, and the median length of time that American employees have been with their current employer is 4.6 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Its clear that we no longer live in an age where people remain with their first company untilretirement.Changing careers can be scary. It can mean competing against people with far more experience than you have, and trying for positions that may not pay as much as youre used to.Perhaps the most intimidating part of the process is finding those new jobs.Here are a few tips for finding that new dream careerLinkedInLinkedIn can be one of the single greatest resources for anyone looking to m ake connections in a new industry or land a newjob.LinkedIn is built to help recruiters find candidates, to help candidates find opportunities, and to help professionals in almost every industry find each other. This makes it a powerful tool for anyone interested in changing careers.Join groupsLinkedIn groups are extremely useful for anyone wanting to connect with professionals in their field of choice and gain a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of that industry. Groups are also a great way to network, learn how to prepare for interviews, and more.Use the job search featureLinkedIn also has a built-in job search feature where users can apply to jobs with a single click. LinkedIns jobs section is a great place to find job deutsche post dhlings, and highlights positions that match your qualifications. Obviously, though, these suggested positions may be less relevant to career changers. This is where thefilters can come in handy- they allow you to filter out industrie s you arent interested in.Once you have found a job of interest, you can apply directly from LinkedIns site using your own profile. This enables you to skip past much of the typical data entry common to submitting job applications online.Premium servicesLinkedIn has a number of premium servicesto make it easier for users to achieve their goals. For example, Job Seeker is a premium service that enables direct messaging to recruiters makes you a featured applicant so you are more easily discovered and gives you insight into who has viewed your profile.If you are actively seeking employment in a new industry, a premium account with LinkedIn is one way to help you stand out.Establish a list of transferable skillsThis is a key step for all job seekers considering changing careers. A lot of work-related skills can be applied tomultiple career paths.A teachers experience managing a classroom of students and tailoring how they relay information to people comes in handy for someone seeking a career in management.A web developer can learn a lot about system administration and networking on the job that would be an asset if they later sought to work in an IT department. A background in graphic design would provide the perfect foundation for a branding-focused marketing role.Once you have created your list of transferable skills, refine it for use on both your resume and your LinkedIn profile.Build your personal brandThis sounds like a lot of work, but it is really pretty straightforward. If you want to up your chances at finding a job in a field you dont have work experience in, you can put in some work during your off hours.Set up a blog, or publish posts on Facebook or LinkedIn that relate to the industry youre moving into. Share knowledge youve gained from your research into that career, and establish yourself as someone who knows a thing or two about it. Better yet, because youre changing careers, you might be able to bring a fresh perspective to topics. Sometimes it pays to be an outsider.Connect with leaders in the industryOften, who you know is just as important as what you know. If you want to get started in a new industry, consider reaching out to established figures. Learn as much as you can from the material theyve published, network at local industry events, and even- once youve established a rapport- ask for advice to help you get started on your new path.Want to know where to find people in your area? Meetups are a great place to start. Meetup.com is one site commonly used to organize meetups for professionals, free seminars, etc.You might be surprised at how easy it is to meet the movers and shakers in a given industry by attending a few meetups. These meetings often create networkingopportunities for attendees, especially during the times before and after the guest speaker, when everyone is crowded around the snack table. Dont forget your networking resumeGain experience by doing it on your ownIf you want to get into a career in rad io or television, figure out how to put together a production using what you have on hand at home and get to work. One idea would be to start a podcast.If your dream is to work as a graphic artist, there is nothing stopping you from sitting down at your computer and coming up with designs. You could start an on-demand t-shirt company using one of the many free services that print shirts to order. Once you comeup with some witty designs, post them online. Share them on your website and/or social media pages, and dont be afraid to include them in your portfolio.Often, it isnt what youve done for a paycheck that makes up a hiring managers mind. Its what you do when no one is paying you. This establishes passion, willingness to learn, and gives you something to put in your portfolio related to your desired field.In short Just do it

Thursday, November 21, 2019

A strategic approach to using personalized marketing messages

A strategic approach to using personalized marketing messagesA strategic approach to using personalized marketing messagesMost businesses whether theyre large or small want to bring their messages to larger audiences. But carpet-bombing the general population isnt a good use of a companys time or money. Instead, the more strategic approach for many firms is to micro-target their marketing messages to therightaudiences.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBeverage brand Sparkling Ice recently launched amarketing campaign aimed at specific consumer segments, while ansprechbar grocer Peapod says ituses customer data and geographic targetingto better tailor its messages to the right audiences. Restaurant chains likeCKE Restaurants HoldingsandTaco Bellhave also released marketing programs targeted at specific consumer segments.The benefits of such programs are vast, says Denise Indovina , vice president of new business development withUltimate Data. When a consumer receives any marketing message, they first ask themselves, Does this pertain to me?Does it resonate? Is it relevant?If so, they are more likely to engage with that message.Targeted marketing requires a multipronged approachCreating a tailored, customized marketing program requires several layers, Indovina says. First, the right individuals must be targeted - meaning those consumers who are most likely to need that product. Second, ensuring that the message, offer and creative are well-suited to that consumer.In the case of a quick service restaurant, this means finding their best customers and top prospects that reside within close proximity to the location and offering them a promotion they would be excited to receive, she says. For a CPG brand, it might mean working with a grocery retailer on a shopper marketing initiative to bring known users of a specific brand into that retailers local store to buy, rather than having them buy it from the retailer where they traditionally shop for it.For a grocery retailer, this may mean using data from a trusted third party to more quickly personalize offers sent tonew loyalty program participants for which a robust purchase history is not yet available in the retailers CRM database.Pinpoint where to find the audienceWhen evaluating how to find an audience for a targeted marketing campaign, ensure that both existing customers and potential new ones are included in the program, Indovina says. In both cases, data mining, profiling and selects (demographic, etc.) are the basic ways to find the audience, she advises. Predictive analytics, machine learning, and AI are the newest generation. For current customers, tools can be applied internally on customer relationship management/house files, either with internal resources or outside help.When aiming the marketing at prospective customers, using tools from trusted, external third-party partners ca n be key to finding the right audience, she advises.Set measurement criteria earlyCompanies that create targeted marketing campaigns must put measurement tactics in place so they can compare the effectiveness of the programs against their other strategies, Indovina says.Applying the most sophisticated advanced targeting and personalization tactics can deliver a significant lift.Weve had clients achieve a lift of 360 percent vs. benchmark and a five to one return on ad spending (ROAS) in the same campaign.Not everyone can get there, but thats certainly something to aim toward.Campaign ROI can vary depending upon the objective of the campaign, the offer and media channel chosen, she reminds businesses.While wed always like to see a campaign payout in and of itself, often times brands will use a 12-month payout hurdle.This is especially true when working to acquire a new high-value consumer who will visit their restaurant, or buy their brand frequently, once they try it.This article fi rst appeared on Smartbrief.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people